The mercenary chief who urged an uprising against Russia’s generals has long ties to Putin

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER
Associated Press

Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has taken the spotlight in Russia by posing a direct challenge to Russia’s generals over the war in Ukraine. Long a low-profile Russian businessman, Prigozhin is owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner mercenary group, which has played a central role in Russia’s fight in Ukraine. Prigozhin initially dramatically escalated months of criticism of the Kremlin’s conduct of the war by calling for an armed uprising to oust Russia’s defense minister. Then, he just as abruptly stood down. It’s the most dangerous role yet for the 62-year-old Prigozhin, a onetime owner of swanky restaurants who came to be known as “Putin’s Chef.”